Abstract: Using tensor voting theory to classify the vertices in triangle meshes and connecting with the quadric error metric surface simplification algorithm,we presented a new quadric error metric algorithm for simplifying meshes to retain the feature edge of the original model.First,all vertices are classified into a plane,a sharp edge,a corner,according to the tensor voting theory.Then every edge is classified into several types,each type with a level weight.And the level weight is added into the cost of contracting pair in the quadric error metric surface simplification algorithm.Finally,iteratively removing the edge pair,a feature edge retained progressive meshes are generated.The empirical results show that the proposed algorithm is able to retain the overall characteristic features and small details of the original model.